Environmental

Stewardship

State parks must zealously protect and preserve those resource for all time. Improving of state park systems with the conservation of lands and waters will yield benefits to help address the problems of land and overuse. State parks promote the preserving of natural ecosystems, but also require constant tending–without it, they would gradually erode and disappear. Our efforts to protect state parks today will make our children and future generations proud of how we protect the natural, environmental, recreational and cultural resources in our care.

State parks must contain the best and most representative example of available resources, both natural and cultural. Our state parks offer natural and aesthetic qualities that make each park unique, such as native plants, trees, landscapes, space for families and gatherings, gateways to our communities, great views, etc. A healthy state park system and our open space benefit both our citizens and our natural and cultural resources. Overuse, fragmentation, and loss of natural areas has damaged our ability to enjoy the outdoors and has threatened many of our wildlife and plant resources. There is great frustration about our decreasing ability to experience natural settings, enjoy our abundance of wildlife, have access to unspoiled lands, or to be enriched by a drive through a beautiful area.

Open Space

State parks must contain the best and most representative example of available resources, both natural and cultural. Providing and preserving state parks and open space enhance the desirability of an area as well as contribute to the safety and health of the state’s inhabitants. State parks are of all people who appreciate the beauty of open space and the importance of preserving our historical heritage.

State parks must be thoughtfully planned and designed to harmonize with their settings and to accentuate positive features. If the formation of the National Park System is revered as the “best idea America ever had,” then the formation of State Park systems must be the “best idea that individual states ever had.” State parks offer beautiful scenery, clean air pleasant surroundings, tranquility and other aesthetic qualities that help balance the stress of everyday life. Even non-users can enjoy a state park’s beauty as a distant view or while driving past it. Many non-economic values are associated with state parks – keeping our history alive, preserving wildlife and natural wonders and safeguarding our cultural images.

Public Use and Support

State parks must provide for a balanced program of resource based recreation of appropriate types and amounts. Many forms of recreation have very little impact on the environment. Nature and water are environmental features which evoke pleasure and relaxation in most persons. Natural settings with natural sources of water can benefit people while being virtually untouched. Recreation activity on state parks has a positive impact on environmental attitudes and perceptions. State Park Departments through the provision of outdoor, natural based activities can provide education about the protection and preservation of natural areas while encouraging appropriate uses of outdoor areas for activities.

State parks must foster environmental sensitivity and instill pride in our heritage. We must stress that our state parks are important because of what they teach us about ourselves; then perhaps our children will understand and treasure them. Field trips to state parks and historic sites can significantly increase school children’s attitudes towards the protection and conservation of state park resources. Long-term experience with relatively pristine environments beginning at an early age has prompted active citizens and educators to be involved and successful in environmental issues. Public involvement as volunteers on state parks allows opportunities for the public to develop awareness of recreational and environmental values and can provide valuable input into planning of state park areas and appropriate recreation activities.

“Recreation development is a job not of building roads into lovely country, but of building receptivity into the still unlovely human mind.” – Aldo Leopold

Many of the early parks and preservation projects accomplished in the United States were through legislative acts by
the states. There was recognition of this growing responsibility in a relatively new field of public service. It
was through early successes that such American landmarks as Niagara Falls, the California redwoods, and the San
Jacinto battleground were saved for prosperity. A few years later, guided by Stephen Mather, the first National
Conference on [State] Parks to promote state and other public parks was conceived, organized, convened and actively
supported by practically every park and conservation luminary in the country. Held in Des Moines, Iowa in January
1921, it brought together some 200 highly motivated delegates and ignited a “prairie fire” for the development of
public parks across America. From the success of this auspicious convocation of modest beginnings grew a national
state park movement that has achieved unimaginable success.11Adapted from The State Park Movement in America by Ney Landrum

America’s State Parks today include more than 2,200 traditional state parks and more than 8,100 additional
areas that provide wonderful outdoor recreation experiences and unique historical, scientific and environmental
education opportunities. Eighteen and one-half million acres provide for grand diversity – from the vastness of a
half-million acre mountainous landscape, to the colorful intricacies of a living coral reef, to the world’s longest
stalactite formation, to the tallest sand on the Atlantic seaboard, to the historic locations where European
settlers first came to America, and much more. This mosaic of the natural resources and cultural fabric of America
and the splendor of its beauty are enjoyed by 791 million visitors to state parks annually. Both remote and resort
in their offerings, America’s State Parks are indeed yours to explore and experience.

Now, as during the past century and the beginning of the state park movement, the support of partners are invaluable
to success of parks. America’s State Parks have long been recognized their accessibility, and for
their effectiveness and management efficiencies.

Support from individuals, friends groups and corporate America are central to continuing to provide and advance quality
outdoor recreation experiences and opportunities in America’s State Parks and safeguard their importance to the
nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy.